1 France's geography is among the most unique in all of Europe. France is one of the largest countries, by size, in Europe. It is a little bigger than Oregon and Nevada and stretches from the Atlantic Ocean and English Channel in the north to the Mediterranean Sea in the south. It is bordered by Spain and Andorra to the southwest and Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Monaco to the east.2 France's terrain changes from beaches and rolling grasslands in the north to rugged and steep mountains in the Alps along its border with Switzerland and Italy. France's climate ranges from warm nearly year-round along the Atlantic coast, to cold and snowy winters along the southeastern border with Italy and Switzerland.3 In the north of France, beautiful beaches border the regions of Brittany and Normandy, both of which are known for their ancient small towns and fishing villages. As elsewhere in France, you could find many villages in the north full of ancient buildings and churches, and even some monuments that are almost 4,000 years old! You would also find many country homes, or as the French say, "chateaux".